Douglas Byrd Van Buskirk was born on December 25, 1918, in Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia. He was the son of Harold and Evelyn Byrd Van Buskirk, of Houston, Texas, U.S.A.; husband of Lilias Van Buskirk.

Douglas served in the 7 (R.A.F.) Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Flying Officer during World War II. He was a crew member on Stirling aircraft #N 3677 which was carrying 5 x 1,000 and 4 x 500 lb. general-purpose bombs when it was shot down at Dusseldorf, Germany.

The other members of the crew were:
Sergeant John Edwin Chadwick (1109519) RAF
Sergeant Sidney John Fenson (631695) RAF
Sergeant Cyril Murch (1310864) RAF
Sergeant Derek Gordon Pack (907690) RAF
Sergeant Donald Stronach (1380882) RAF
Pilot Officer George Edward Sweeney (107514) RAF

Source of information: www.findagrave.com